England restrict India after superb bowling on day 2
England witnessed the start of Shubman Gill’s red-ball captaincy era, highlighted by impressive batting from India’s young talents. India is taking on England at Headingly. After winning the toss, Ben Stokes decided to bowl first, but the decision went in the opposition’s favour.
A new opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul provided a solid start. The middle order was more impressive, but some help from the weather on day 2 restricted the visiting side. England responded well with the bat, and here is how the first two days went.
England bowlers were left frustrated as three centuries piled on the pressure.
India’s opening pair added 91 runs to the total. KL Rahul was dismissed on 42 but he had done his bit. It was a disappointing debut for Sai Sudarshan. The left-hander was caught down the leg without adding any runs. His wicket didn’t stop the Indian batters from attacking. Jaiswal and Gill added 129 runs for the third wicket.
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It was Jaiswal’s first test innings in England, and he marked it with a 100. He scored his fifth red-ball ton before getting out on 101. Rishabh Pant joined his captain in the middle. The Indian captain and vice-captain had some different ideas on the field. Gill showed his masterclass by frustrating the bowlers with his technique. Pant played all over the ground and left Ben Stokes in a spot of bother.
England strike back after Gill’s ton
Shubman Gill played a superb knock of 147 before getting caught on the boundary. This was his sixth ton and first as a captain of the national team. Karun Nair joined Pant in the middle. This was his comeback test after a nine-year wait.
Ben Stokes had some other plans. He gave a full-length ball, and Nair tried to place it over the covers. Ollie Pope stretched his body and took a one-handed blinder. These two wickets were enough to add confidence to the England bowlers. Soon, Rishabh Pant fell on 143. It took England’s bowlers six more overs to wrap up the innings.
From 430 for three, India were all out on 471. Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes took four wickets each. Only three batters prevailed for India and helped their side to post a good total on the board.
Bumrah strikes, but Ollie Pope saves the day
Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s main weapon in the last few years. The 31-year-old has troubled the best batters with his unorthodox style of bowling. It took him just six balls to get the first wicket. Zak Crawley was caught in first slip.
Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope added 122 runs for the second wicket. Both players were looking settled until Bumrah returned for another spell. This time, he got Ben Duckett on 62. Joe Root was the next batter and England’s main wicket. Pope completed his 100, and England were in a commanding position. However, Bumrah had some other plans before the day ended. He removed the dangerous Joe Root on 28 as England ended the day on 209 for the loss of three wickets.
